Football Season Guide

Le Havre were drawn into the thick of the relegation battle late last season and might have been relegated until the final day of the campaign as they saw a promising start to the season dissipate in an alarming manner. Maintaining their momentum from promotion was key, and once this faded, their lack of offensive power was telling. Of the 34 goals they scored last season, eight were scored in their first four matches alone, highlighting the need for greater offensive production this time around. So far, it’s been rather unclear how this might come. Mohamed Bayo and Andre Ayew have both departed, leaving HAC without an obvious option to fill the centre-forward berth. They do have some promising options out wide, yet a lack of consistency is an issue in this part of the team. Josue Casimir is their outstanding winger yet blows hot and cold too regularly. Of their three attacking midfield recruits, two are 18 and not expected to play a great role, leaving much pressure on Issa Soumare, who has returned from Auxerre, where he was on loan. The only other new face is Yanis Zouaoui from Martigues, who will likely only add depth in the left-back area of the squad. Le Havre, though, are relatively well set defensively. Oussama Targhalline had a campaign decimated by injury issues last season and could prove a leading player, while Yassine Kechta, Daler Kuzyaev and Abdoulaye Toure are all good options in this sectore. The defence, meanwhile, is the strength of the side. Arouna Sangante is an excellent young centre-back and, along with Etienne Youte, will be key figures as they battle against relegation once more. In Didier Digard, meanwhile, they have a new head coach. The former dogged midfielder did excellent work previously at Nice, but in his first full-time job faces a challenge getting the best out of a defensively-heavy Le Havre team.